Many potential GED test takers often wonder, “how old do you have to be to get GED?” Generally, candidates must be at least 16 years old, but many states impose additional criteria, especially for those under 18.
Understanding these age limits and requirements is crucial for prospective test-takers.
This article explores the age requirements for the GED across different states, the general additional requirements for those under 18, and the implications of these regulations for young adults seeking to earn their high school equivalency diploma.
Learn more: How to get a GED
States Allowing 16-Year-Olds to Test
Many states permit 16-year-olds to take the GED exam, but they often require candidates to be officially withdrawn from high school. For example:
Texas
Candidates must be 16 years old and have parental consent. They must also meet additional criteria set by the state.
Read more: GED in Texas
Florida
Similar to Texas, 16-year-olds need a waiver and parental consent to take the test.
For more details check out: GED in Florida
New York:
In New York, 16-year-olds can take the GED but must complete the Age Eligibility Form for High School Equivalency and obtain approval.
States with Higher Age Requirements
Some states set the minimum age at 17. For instance:
Tennessee
Candidates must be 17 years old and provide a HSE Recommendation Form signed by their last school’s principal.
Illinois
The minimum age is also 17, and candidates must demonstrate they have been officially withdrawn from school.
General Trends
Most states require candidates under 18 to have parental consent and to be officially withdrawn from high school. This reflects a common trend aimed at ensuring that younger candidates are prepared for the responsibilities and challenges of the GED testing process.
Additional Requirements for Under 18 GED Test Takers
While age is a primary factor in determining eligibility for the GED, many states impose additional requirements for candidates under 18. These requirements often include:
1.Parental Consent
Most states require written permission from a parent or guardian for candidates aged 16 or 17. This consent is crucial, as it signifies that the parent or guardian supports the candidate’s decision to pursue a GED instead of traditional high school education.
2.Official Withdrawal from High School
Candidates must be officially withdrawn from their high school. This means they cannot be enrolled in any high school program at the time of testing. States like Florida and Texas require documentation proving that the student has formally left school.
3. Age Waivers
Some states require candidates to obtain an age waiver. This waiver is typically issued by the state’s Department of Education and may necessitate additional documentation or approval from educational authorities.
For example, in Delaware, 16 and 17-year-olds must have a waiver issued by the Delaware Department of Education in addition to parental consent.
4. Enrollment in Adult Education Programs
In certain states, candidates under 18 may be required to enroll in state-approved adult education programs. This requirement is intended to ensure that younger candidates receive appropriate support and resources as they prepare for the GED test.
How do Parental Consent Requirements Vary across Different States for the GED Test?
Parental consent requirements for taking the GED test vary significantly across different states in the United States. In some states, such as California and New York, individuals under the age of 18 are required to obtain parental consent before taking the GED test.
However, in other states, such as Texas and Florida, parental consent is not mandatory for individuals aged 16 or 17.
Additionally, a few states, like Illinois and Massachusetts, have specific age requirements for taking the GED test without parental consent, often set at 17 or 18 years old.
It is essential for individuals considering taking the GED test to research the specific requirements in their state to ensure they meet all necessary criteria, including any parental consent regulations.
GED Age Requirements by State
Here is a breakdown of the age requirements in all states:
| State | Minimum Age | Is State Residency required? |
| Alabama | 16 | Yes, underage GED test takers must be residents of Alabama and meet additional requirements. The residency condition does not apply to applicants who are 18 or older. |
| Alaska | 16 | In Alaska, there is no residency requirement for taking the GED test. However, underage testers (those who are 16 or 17 years old) may only be eligible if they meet specific conditions. |
| Arizona | 16 | In Arizona, there is no residency requirement for taking the GED test. However, test-takers who are 16 or 17 years old must meet specific, strict conditions to qualify for testing. |
| Arkansas | 16 | Yes, you must be a resident of Arkansas to qualify. Candidates aged 16 or 17 must also fulfill additional stringent requirements. |
| California | 17 | Yes, GED test takers must either be California residents or members of the Armed Forces. The state of California has stringent and complex regulations for underage individuals wishing to take the test. |
| Colorado | 16 | No, Colorado does not have a residency requirement. However, 16-year-olds must apply for an Age Waiver and receive approval from the GED Testing Service. |
| Connecticut | 17 | Yes, GED test-takers must be residents of Connecticut. Those who are 17 or 18 years old need to provide additional information. |
| Delaware | 16 | Yes, in Delaware, the GED test is only open to state residents. 16 and 17-year-old test-takers must meet additional requirements. |
| District of Columbia | 16 | Yes, GED test-takers must be D.C. residents as the District subsidizes GED testing considerably. GED testers 16 and 17 years old must meet additional requirements. . |
| Florida | 16 | No, there is no state residency requirement in Florida. Testers 16 and 17 years of age must provide additional documentation and obtain an age waiver. |
| Georgia | 16 | No, there is no Georgia residency requirement, but underage testers (16-17 years of age) must attend a state-approved adult education program and meet more requirements. |
| Hawaii | 16 | No, there is no Hawaii residency requirement. 16 and 17-year-olds only qualify if they meet strict additional requirements. . |
| Idaho | 16 | No, Idaho has no state residency requirements for GED test-takers. Applicants 16 and 17 years old must meet additional, strict conditions. |
| Illinois | 17 | In Illinois, GED test takers must be state residents. Seventeen-year-olds must meet specific requirements, while sixteen-year-olds can only take the test if they are enrolled in a Regional Safe Schools Program, an Alternative Learning Opportunities Program, or the Lincoln’s Challenge Academy. |
| Indiana | 16 | Yes, the GED exams are open to Indiana residents only. Candidates 16 and 17 years old, however, must meet additional requirements. |
| Kansas | 16 | No, GED testers don’t need to be Kansas residents. GED candidates 16 and 17 years old qualify only if they meet additional requirements. |
| Kentucky | 18 | Yes, GED test-takers must be Kentucky residents. 18-year-olds must meet additional requirements, also for taking the GED test online. |
| Louisiana | 16 | No, there is no Louisiana residency requirement, but candidates 16-18 years old must pass the GED or HiSET practice test to qualify and be approved by a WorkReady U literacy provider and meet more requirements. . |
| Maine | 17 | No, Maine residency is not required. Non-residents can also write the GED exam in Maine, but the exam is only free for state residents. |
| Maryland | 16 | Yes, in Maryland, the GED test is open to state residents only. Candidates 16, 17, and 18 years of age are required, however, to meet strict criteria. |
| Massachusetts | 16 | Yes, GED candidates must have a valid Massachusetts address. Testers 16 or 17 years of age need to meet strict additional requirements. |
| Michigan | 16 | No, there is no Michigan state residency requirement. Like in most states, underage candidates, 16 or 17, need to meet additional, strict criteria. |
| Minnesota | 17 | No, there is no Minnesota residency requirement. GED applicants 17 and 18 years old are required to meet additional criteria. . |
| Mississippi | 16 | No, Mississippi doesn’t require GED testers to be state residents. Underage candidates 16 and 17 years of age must, however, comply with additional requirements. |
| Missouri | 16 | Yes, Missouri residency is required. GED and HiSET candidates must be withdrawn from school, and 16-year-olds qualify only if they have completed 16 or more units toward high school graduation. |
| Montana | 16 | Yes, in Montana, state residency is required for GED or HiSET candidates. Test-takers 16 and 17 years old must comply with additional strict criteria. |
| Nebraska | 16 | Nebraska does not have a state residency requirement, but applicants must have lived in the state for at least 30 days to earn the GED diploma. Additionally, 16 and 17-year-olds must meet extra requirements. |
| Nevada | 16 | Yes, In Nevada, the GED exam is open to state residents only. Candidates 16 or 17 years old only qualify if they meet additional requirements. . In Nevada, online GED testing is only available to candidates at least 18 years old. |
| New Hampshire | 18 | Yes, GED testing is available for New Hampshire residents of at least 18 only, though, in exceptional situations, underage candidates may qualify as well. Online testing is not open to any candidate under the age of 18. |
| New Jersey | 16 | Yes, to qualify for the GED or HiSET exam, applicants must be New Jersey residents. Underage candidates (16 or 17 years of age) are required to meet additional requirements. |
| New Mexico | 16 | No, New Mexico has no state residency requirement. Underage GED test-takers are required, however, to meet additional, strict criteria. |
| New York | 16 | Yes, New York State offers the GED exam for free but only to state residents. Test-takers 16, 17, and 18 years of age must obtain approval to write the GED test and complete an Age Eligibility Form. |
| North Carolina | 16 | No, North Carolina doesn’t have a state residency requirement, but to earn the state’s GED diploma, testers must pass their last GED subtest in the state. Underage candidates (16-17 years old) must meet additional requirements. |
| North Dakota | 16 | No, there is no North Dakota residency requirement. In North Dakota, the GED test is open to all test-takers 16 years old or older. To take the GED exam online, a parent or guardian must authorize an underage tester to be recorded during the exam. |
| Ohio | 16 | Yes, Ohio residency is required. Test-takers 16 and 17 years old If you are 16 or 17 years old must be officially withdrawn from school, as is required in all states for GED candidates. |
| Oklahoma | 16 | No, Oklahoma residency is not required. GED candidates 16 and 17 years old must meet additional criteria. To take the GED test online in Oklahoma, candidates must be at least 18 years old. |
| Oregon | 16 | No, in Oregon, there is no state residency requirement. However, candidates 16 or 17 years old need to comply with some additional requirements. Underage students who want to take the exam online must be authorized by a parent or guardian to do so. |
| Pennsylvania | 16 | To take the GED test in Pennsylvania, you must be a resident of the state. Test-takers who are 16 or 17 years old need an age waiver from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The minimum age for taking the GED test online in Pennsylvania is 18, and candidates must have permission from a parent or guardian. |
| Rhode Island | 16 | Yes, Rhode Island residency is required. GED applicants 16 or 17 years old can take the GED exam if they provide an Alternative Learning Plan. Underage online GED testers must be authorized by a parent or legal guardian to do so. |
| South Carolina | 16 | Yes, the GED exam is open to South Carolina residents only. 17 and 18-year-old candidates may qualify if they hold an SC Verification of School Withdrawal form and meet some additional requirements. 16-year-olds may also take the exam if they are under a court order or the jurisdiction of the state’s DJJ. |
| South Dakota | 16 | No, in South Dakota, there is no state residency requirement. Candidates 16 and 17 years old must meet some strict requirements, and to take the test online, a parent or guardian needs to be present upon check-in to authorize an underage test-taker to be recorded during the exam. |
| Tennessee | 17 | No, there is no Tennessee residency requirement. GED candidates 17 years old must hold an age waiver signed by their last school’s principal. Upon taking the GED exam, proper identification is, just like in all states, required. |
| Texas | 16 | Yes, in Texas, state residency is required. Underage GED testers (16 or 17 years of age) need to meet some strict additional criteria. When an underage candidate wants to sit for the online GED exam, a parent or legal guardian must give consent and authorize the candidate to be recorded. |
| Utah | 16 | No, there is no state residency requirement in Utah to take the GED exam. Candidates 16 and 17 years of age need to meet some rather strict additional criteria. Underage testers can take the online GED exam in Utah, but a parent or guardian must approve that the student is recorded during the test. |
| Vermont | 16 | Yes, In Vermont, only residents can choose Vermont as their jurisdiction. Candidates 16 or 17 must hold written and signed consent from a parent or legal guardian. To qualify for online GED testing, underage applicants must be authorized by a parent or guardian to be recorded. |
| Virginia | 16 | No, Virginia doesn’t require GED testers to be state residents. Underage test-takers (those 16 or 17 years of age) are required to meet some pretty strict additional requirements. If they want to take the online GED test, a parent or guardian must give permission that the candidate will be recorded during the exam. |
| Washington | 16 | In Washington State, state residency is mandatory. Individuals aged 16, 17, and 18 can also qualify, provided they meet additional stringent requirements, such as not being enrolled in a high school program. Exceptions to this rule include military personnel, incarcerated individuals, and participants in the state’s Options Program (Open Doors). Online testers underage must obtain authorization from a parent or guardian to be recorded. |
| West Virginia | 16 | In West Virginia, state residency is necessary to take the GED or HiSET exam for free, but non-residents can also take the exam. Additionally, 16, 17, and 18-year-olds may qualify to take the exams if they meet certain criteria and achieve satisfactory results on the official practice tests. |
| Wisconsin | 17 | GED candidates in Wisconsin need to have resided in the state for at least 10 days. Applicants must be at least 18.5 years old, though 17-year-olds can also be eligible if they have an s.118.15 form from their local high school, a correctional facility, or Wisconsin’s Challenge Academy. |
| Wyoming | 16 | No, residency in Wyoming is not a requirement. Candidates who are 16 or 17 years old may be eligible only if they meet specific conditions and have an age waiver. To apply for an Age Waiver, underage testers must complete at least 12 hours at a Wyoming Adult Basic Education (ABE) center. |
The Importance of Understanding State-Specific Age Requirements
Understanding the specific requirements for each state is crucial for candidates considering the GED. These regulations can significantly affect the testing process and the overall experience for young adults seeking their high school equivalency diploma:
- Legal Compliance: Understanding these requirements ensures compliance with state laws and prevents potential legal issues.
- Educational Opportunities: Age restrictions can affect access to educational resources and support programs for younger test takers.
- Career Readiness: Knowing age requirements helps individuals plan their career paths and educational goals effectively.
- Support Systems: Awareness of age regulations can guide candidates toward appropriate mentorship and support services in their state.
Seeking Guidance and Support
Given the complexity of age requirements and additional criteria, it is advisable for candidates to seek guidance from their state’s GED testing center or local adult education programs. These resources can provide valuable information, support, and assistance in navigating the testing process.
Preparing for the GED: Study Resources and Strategies
Passing the GED exam requires thorough preparation and dedication. Prospective test-takers should take advantage of various study resources to ensure they are ready for the rigorous content. Some key strategies include:
1.Enrolling in GED Preparation Courses
Many states and local education providers, and Prepsaret offer GED Test Prep courses designed to help students build the necessary skills and knowledge. These classes typically cover the four subject areas tested on the GED exam.
Enrolling in a prep course can provide structured learning, practice tests, and guidance from experienced instructors.
2. Utilizing Online Study Materials
In addition to in-person classes, we offer numerous online resources available for GED test preparation. These include interactive GED Practice Tests, video lessons, and GED Study Guide.
Many of these materials are low-cost, making them accessible to a wide range of learners. Our online tools allow for self-paced learning and the flexibility to study at any time.
3. Developing a Study Plan
Creating a structured study plan is crucial for success on the GED exam. This involves setting realistic goals, allocating time for each subject area, and regularly assessing progress.
Prospective test-takers should identify their strengths and weaknesses and focus their efforts accordingly. Maintaining a consistent study routine is key to building the necessary skills and knowledge.
What are the Unique Challenges faced by Underage GED Test-takers?
Underage GED test-takers face several unique challenges that can impact their preparation and success:
- Firstly, they often lack access to resources such as study materials and tutoring, which can hinder their understanding of the test content.
- Additionally, balancing school, work, and family responsibilities can create time constraints, making it difficult to dedicate sufficient time to study. Emotional factors, such as anxiety and pressure to succeed, can further complicate their testing experience.
- Furthermore, underage test-takers may encounter legal and administrative hurdles, including parental consent requirements and age restrictions at testing centers.
- Finally, societal stigma surrounding dropping out of traditional schooling can affect their confidence and motivation. Addressing these challenges requires tailored support systems to help underage students navigate their unique circumstances effectively.
What are the Benefits of Obtaining a GED for Underage Students
Obtaining a GED can provide significant benefits for underage students:
- Firstly, it offers an alternative to traditional high school, allowing students to complete their education at their own pace. This flexibility can be crucial for those facing personal challenges or needing to enter the workforce sooner.
- Additionally, a GED opens doors to higher education opportunities, as many colleges and universities accept it as equivalent to a high school diploma. It also enhances job prospects, as employers often prefer candidates with a GED or diploma.
- Furthermore, earning a GED can boost self-esteem and motivation, empowering students to pursue their goals and break the cycle of educational disadvantage. Overall, the GED serves as a valuable stepping stone toward a brighter future.
FAQs
How Old do you have to be to Get a GED in California?
In California, the minimum age to take the GED test is 18. However, individuals aged 16 or 17 can take the test if they meet specific criteria, such as being out of school for at least 60 days and obtaining permission from their school district and parental consent.
Notably, even if a 17-year-old passes the exam, they will not receive their GED certificate until they turn 18. Additionally, those who are within 60 days of their 18th birthday can also take the test.
How Old do you Have to be to get GED in Texas?
In Texas, the minimum age to take the GED test is 16. However, individuals aged 16 or 17 must meet specific requirements, including obtaining parental consent and not being enrolled in an accredited high school.
Additionally, 16-year-olds may qualify if they are under a court order or enrolled in certain programs like Job Corps or the Texas Challenge Academy.
Generally, those who are 18 years or older can take the GED without any additional requirements. All test-takers must provide valid identification and proof of Texas residency.
Can a 14 year old get a GED?
A 14-year-old cannot directly take the GED test in most states, as the minimum age for testing is typically 16. However, some states allow 16 and 17-year-olds to take the GED under specific conditions, such as being officially withdrawn from school and obtaining parental consent.
For instance, Texas requires 16-year-olds to meet strict criteria, including proof of residency and parental permission, while other states may have similar requirements. Therefore, a 14-year-old would need to wait until they are at least 16 to pursue a GED, depending on state laws.
Can you Get your GED at 16 in New York?
In New York, individuals can take the GED test at 16, but they must meet specific requirements. Applicants aged 16, 17, or 18 must be officially withdrawn from school, obtain parental consent, and have permission from their school district.
Additionally, they must have resided in New York State for at least 30 days and cannot already possess a high school diploma or equivalent. The GED consists of four subject tests, and passing all is necessary to earn the High School Equivalency Diploma.